Author: Joseph L. AlleyPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Forage plants
Languages : en
Pages : 328
Book Description
Living mulches offer an alternative method of weed control in forest plantations when conventional methods will not suffice. This study was designed to identify effective living mulches for use in Central Missouri. Tree seedling growth factors for eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra L.), honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos L.), and pitch x loblolly pine hybrid (Pinus rigida L. x P. taeda L.) were measured as the trees were grown in ten different ground cover treatments (GCTs). These included eight forage-type leguminous living mulches (small and large white clover, Trifolium repens L.; red clover, T. pratense L.; kura clover, T. ambiguum Bieb.; strawberry clover, T. fragiferum L.; birdsfoot trefoil, Lotus corniculatus L.; hairy vetch, Vicia villosa Roth; and 'AU Early' hairy vetch, V. villosa Roth) and two controls (tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb.; and vegetation free maintained with herbicide). Overall, tree seedling growth factors were affected positively by the vegetation free GCT and negatively by the tall fescue GCT, with legume responses falling between these extremes. Within leguminous living mulches, the following significant observations were made. The vetches positively affected honeylocust diameter, height growth and leaf weight, while negatively affecting pine height, diameter growth and needle length. Birdsfoot trefoil had a positive effect on bare-root walnut leaf area. White and Ladino clover positively affected containerized walnut diameter and height growth as well as bare-root walnut leaf weight. Red clover positively affected honeylocust diameter growth and leaf weight. Strawberry clover negatively affected bare-root walnut leaf area. Percent cover and dry weight for the GCTs were also compared.